Angelonia plant named ‘G2X-11996-3’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Angelonia  plant named ‘G2X-11996-3’ particularly characterized by an upright, dense basal-branching plant habit and having violet-blue flower color is disclosed.

Genus and species: Angelonia angustifolia.

Variety denomination: ‘G2X-11996-3’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Angelonia plant, botanically known as Angelonia angustifolia and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘G2X-11996-3’. The new variety originated from a cross conducted in July 2010 in Bellefonte, Pa. between the female parent Angelonia plant ‘C282-1’ (unpatented) and the male parent Angelonia plant ‘Anwhitim’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,866). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and asexual propagation.

‘G2X-11996-3’ was first propagated via vegetative cuttings and via aseptic in vitro tissue culture in October 2011 in Bellefonte, Pa. and has been asexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings in Bellefonte, Pa. for approximately 5 generations. Concurrently, ‘G2X-11996-3’ has been propagated via aseptic in vitro tissue culture since October 2011. ‘G2X-11996-3’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings and in vitro tissue culture.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. ‘G2X-11996-3’ has not been sold or made publicly available anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristic of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in a greenhouse in Bellefonte, Pa.

-   -   1. Upright, dense basal-branching habit; and     -   2. Violet-blue flower color.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Angelonia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of a whole plant about 19 weeks old.

FIG. 1 shows a whole plant of ‘G2X-11996-3’ in a trade 1-gallon pot.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of an inflorescence of ‘G2X-11996-3’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of an individual floret of ‘G2X-11996-3’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of Angelonia angustifolia ‘G2X-11996-3’. The data which define these characteristics was collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Bellefonte, Pa. The plant history was taken on June 7 of 2013 on 18 week old plants grown in 1-gallon pots. The plants were grown from vegetatively propagated cuttings from mother stock grown in a controlled climate greenhouse with natural light. Color readings were taken under natural light in the greenhouse. Color references are primarily to the Pantone color chart, #747XR second printing (1987-1988 edition).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Plantaginaceae.         -   Botanical.—Angelonia angustifolia.         -   Common.—Angelonia. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘C282-1’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—‘Anwhitim’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,866). -   Plant:     -   -   Form.—1-gallon, mature, flowering.         -   Growth and branching habit.—Upright, dense basal-branching.         -   Height.—56.0 cm to 58.0 cm.         -   Width.—30.0 cm to 36.0 cm.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—8 to 10 weeks             from unrooted cuttings.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—>5 days.         -   Outdoor plant performance.—Good to very good; good heat             tolerance.         -   Time to initiate roots.—7 to 10 days.         -   Root description.—White, abundant. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, leaf pairs alternate.         -   Length.—8.0 cm.         -   Width.—1.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Narrow, rhombic.         -   Apex.—Sharply pointed, acuminate.         -   Base.—Margin attached, cuneate.         -   Margin.—Serrate from 50% of leaf length to tip.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Pantone 553C. Lower surface: Pantone             5753C.         -   Texture (for each surface).—Glossy (upper), Glossy (lower).         -   Venation pattern.—Parallel with margin, penni-parallel.         -   Venation color.—Pantone 553C. -   Stem:     -   -   Length (first stem).—33.0 cm to 36.0 cm.         -   Diameter (just below first branch).—0.9 cm.         -   Internodes length.—2.0 cm.         -   Color.—Pantone 576C.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Pedicel.—Color: Pantone 576C. Length: 0.9 cm. Diameter: ca.             1.0 mm. Texture: Smooth.         -   Note.—each pedicel has a small “leaf” at its base. This             pedicel-leaf is the same color as the upper surface of the             stem-leaf, Pantone 553C. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Globular to ovate.         -   Diameter.—2.0 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Length.—2.0 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Color at tight bud.—Pantone 575C. -   Flower:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Annual.         -   Floret and Inflorescence type.—Single flower, branched             inflorescence.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Pantone 2593C. Lower surface: Pantone             2573C. Color of spot within throat: Pantone 2603C. Note:             Lower lip petal has a white spot at its base.         -   Florets per raceme.—>40.         -   Floret diameter.—ca. 2.3 cm.         -   Petal.—Quantity per flower: 5 (fused). Apex: Smooth. Margin:             Smooth. Texture: Smooth. Size: Upper lip: Length: 0.7 cm.             Width: 0.5 cm. Lower lip, lateral petal: Length: 0.7 cm.             Width: 0.7 cm. Lower lip, central petal: Length: 1.2 cm.             Width: 0.8 cm.         -   Sepals.—Quantity: 5. Color: Pantone 575C. Length: 0.5 cm.             Width: 0.3 cm. Shape: Blunt, coming to a sharp point. Apex:             Point. Base: Attached. Margin: Smooth.         -   Sepal anthocyanin.—None.         -   Sepal texture.—Glossy.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—4.         -   Filament color.—Light green.         -   Pollen amount.—Abundant.         -   Pollen color.—White to light yellow.         -   Pistil.—1.         -   Stigma.—Entire, not split.         -   Style color.—Light green. -   Fruit and seed set: G2X-11996-3 is fertile and produces moderate     amounts of seed. Seed shape and size is typical of tetraploid     Angelonia -   Disease and insect/pest resistance: Typical of species

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

Angelonia ‘G2X-11996-3’ differs from the female parent Angelonia plant ‘C282-1’ (unpatented) in that ‘G2X-11996-3’ has violet-blue flowers and a large, flat floret display, whereas ‘C282-1’ has lavender-pink flowers with a smaller, slightly cupped floret display. Additionally, ‘G2X-11996-3’ is taller than ‘C282-1’.

Angelonia ‘G2X-11996-3’ differs from the male parent Angelonia plant ‘Anwhitim’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,866) in that ‘G2X-119966-2’ has violet-blue flowers, whereas ‘Anwhitim’ has white flowers. Additionally, ‘G2X-11996-3’ has a smaller flower size and shorter, more compact, more densely basal-branched form than ‘Anwhitim’.

Angelonia ‘G2X-11996-3’ differs from the commercial variety Angelonia angustifolia ‘Balarcpur’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,522) in that ‘G2X-11996-3’ has a taller and broader form with longer, narrower leaves than ‘Balarcpur’. Also, ‘G2X-11996-3’ has darker violet-blue flowers, whereas ‘Balarcpur’ has lighter violet-blue flowers. Additionally, ‘G2X-11996-3’ has slightly lighter green leaves and less serrated leaves than ‘Balarcpur’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Angelonia plant named ‘G2X-11996-3’ as described and shown herein. 